Method of playing wagering games

ABSTRACT

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, one or more players place a wager and a single player (“shooter”) rolls a pair of standard six-sided dice two consecutive times. A dealer calculates and records the sum of the first two rolls. If the shooter reaches the sum of twenty-two, the wagering players are paid eight-to-one odds on their wagers. If the shooter has not reached the sum of twenty-two, the shooter rolls the dice one additional time. The dealer then adds the new sum to the previous two-roll total. If, after the third roll, the shooter has reached the sum of twenty-two, the players are paid one-to-one odds on their wagers. If the shooter fails to reach the sum of twenty-two in three rolls, the players lose their wagers. The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a live table game version or electronic version.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/329,609, filed Oct. 15, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of playing wagering games. More particularly, wagering games in which a player attempts to reach a target score through multiple random scoring events. Associated payouts are related to the number of random scoring events required to reach the target score.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Although games involving dice are extremely popular in non-gaming environments, only Craps has been successful in a gaming environment. The game of Craps is offered in nearly all casinos. Craps involves two six-sided dice which are rolled two or more times by a designated player (the “shooter”). The fundamental bet in Craps is known as the “pass” bet. The pass bet is lost on a first roll (“come-out”) of 2, 3, or 12. Each pass bet wagerer is paid even money on a come out roll of 7 or 11. In either case, the pass bet is resolved and a new game must begin. Should the shooter's come out roll be a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number is identified as the “point.”Thereafter, the shooter continues to roll the dice until the point is repeated or a seven is rolled, whichever occurs first. If the point is repeated (“making the point”), each pass bet wagerer is paid even money on their pass bets and a new game begins with the same shooter. If a seven is rolled (“seven-out”) prior to making the point, each pass bet wagerer loses their pass bet and the shooter must relinquish the dice to another participant. Craps also includes a host of additional wagers related to each roll of the dice. For example, players may wager that any number will be rolled on a subsequent roll, bet that the value of each die will match (i.e snake eyes), and so on.

[0004] Several other dice games have been attempted in casinos, but without great, or even moderate, success. One such game is known as “Chuck-a-Luck.” Chuck-a-Luck is a game involving a single roll of three six-sided dice having associated payouts related to one, two, or three of the dice faces showing a selected number from one to six. Another dice game is known as “Under and Over 7.” Under and Over 7 allows players to wager whether the sum of two dice will be less than, more than, or equal to seven.

[0005] Scarne on Dice, published in 1992, 8^(th) edition, lists many other dice games that are not necessarily played in casinos for wagering purposes, but can be played in a pot-style game wherein each player contributes an ante and the winners divide the money pot. One such game is known as “Thirty-Six.” Thirty-Six is a blackjack-style game played with multiple rolls of one die. Another dice game is known as “Poker Dice” wherein the object is to roll five dice to form poker-style hands.

[0006] A non-dice game that relies on a target score or total, namely twenty-one (21), is the game of Blackjack. Players seek to draw any number of cards in an effort to reach a card total of not greater than twenty-one while also achieving a score in excess of the dealer's card total. Additional wagering games based on scoring exist in the prior art and are played with cards, dice, or other gaming indicia.

[0007] While popular, a significant disadvantage of Craps, for both the casino and player, is that the game is, or at least has the perception of being, complicated. Therefore, new players are reluctant to step up to a Craps table and face embarrassment for not knowing the rules or etiquette of the game. In addition, Craps can be played at a slow pace because of the numerous wagers being made before each roll and subsequently paid after each roll. Such delays are not conducive to generating income for the casino which generates income on a per roll basis.

[0008] A disadvantage associated with nearly every other dice game is the poor payback percentages. For example, Chuck-a-Luck has a house advantage of nearly eight (8) percent, and Under and Over 7 has a house advantage in excess of sixteen (16) percent. By contrast, the house advantage on the popular pass bet in Craps is only 1.41%.

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention overcome the disadvantages associated with previous dice wagering games and wagering games based on a scoring system.

SUMMARY

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention provide a wagering game having a relatively short duration, thereby increasing casino profits, provide a game with simple rules which can be easily learned by casino patrons, provide a game with a more reasonable house advantage, thereby increasing the likelihood that casino patrons will play for longer periods of time, provide a game where the objective is to reach a certain rank or score and provide a game having enhanced payouts should said rank or score be achieved in an accelerated fashion.

[0011] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a player places a wager and rolls a pair of standard six-sided dice two successive times. A dealer then calculates and records a first sum of the two rolls. If the player reaches or exceeds the sum of twenty-two, the player is paid eight-to-one (8-1) odds on the wager. If the player has not reached the sum of twenty-two, the player rolls the dice one additional time and the dealer adds the first sum to a sum of the new roll and records the same. If, after the third roll, the player reaches, or exceeds, the sum of twenty-two, the player is paid even money (1-1) on the initial wager. If the player fails to reach or exceed the sum of twenty-two in three rolls, the player loses the wager. Of course, various modifications to the first embodiment are possible and are discussed hereinafter.

[0012] These and various other features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and which form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in playing a wagering game according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps in playing a wagering game according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015]FIG. 3 is a gaming machine of the type that may be used to implement an electronic version of the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a method of playing a wagering game according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. The first embodiment utilizes two standard six-sided dice. It is understood that the game may be played by one or more players, in electronic video formats, on personal computers, over a global computer network or in a live casino table game setting. Moreover, other gaming indicia having a value, besides dice, such as cards, dominos, numbered tokens or tiles may be employed to practice the embodiments of the present invention. Such valued gaming indicia may comprise tangible physical objects or electronic representations appearing on an electronic video gaming device or computer monitor. For the sake of brevity, dice are the preferred choice for describing the embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] In a live dice game format, each of the one or more players is first afforded an opportunity to place a wager 100 to participate in the game. One wagering player is selected as the shooter 110. It is contemplated that the players and dealer(s) stand about the perimeter of a dice table of the type commonly used in the game of Craps. However, the table layout may be designed to facilitate and enhance the embodiments of the present invention. Once the wagers are placed, the shooter rolls the dice to a far end of the dice table. A dealer then calculates the first sum of the dice and preferably records the first sum for summation with a next roll 120. The recording of the dice sum may take any form such as writing the sum on displayed surface, displaying the sum on a digital display means, placing a gaming indicia on a table layout designating each possible total, etc. Once the first sum is recorded, the shooter again rolls the dice to the far end of the table. The dealer then calculates and records a second sum being the aggregate of the first roll and second roll. If said second sum is equal to or greater than twenty-two, the wagers of the shooter and all other players are paid at eight-to-one odds 130. If not, the dealer again delivers the dice to the shooter and the shooter rolls the dice a third time. Again, the dealer calculates and records the third sum of the previous two rolls with the third roll 140. If said third sum is now equal to or greater than twenty-two, the wagers of the shooter and all other players are paid at one-to-one or even money. If the third sum fails to reach or exceed twenty-two, the shooter and other players lose their wagers. In a live game, the dice move to a subsequent player in the event of a loss and remain with the shooter in the event of a win. In the first dice embodiment, rather than 8-to-1 and 1-to-1 payouts, a pay table may consist of any number of different payouts.

[0018] As indicated previously, the table layout may be designed to facilitate and enhance the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the table layout may include a designation for each possible score from three to twenty-two and even higher. In addition, the layout may include wagering areas for players to place their wagers and a pay table to inform players of the payouts related to different wagers. Said different wagers are disclosed hereinafter.

[0019] The first embodiment achieves several features that overcome the disadvantages associated with prior dice games including a possible maximum duration of three rolls per game, simple rules and an acceptable house advantage of 1.183%. It is noted that although the house advantage is not as significant as that associated with Craps, the house stands to make more revenue based on the faster pace of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Several modifications of the first embodiment of the present invention are implemented by the selection of various alternative options, as set forth below. The various alternative options discussed below may be employed alone or in any combination or permutation.

[0021] A first alternative embodiment comprises a target score other than twenty-two. Depending on the target score selected, the odds may need to be adjusted to ensure that they are acceptable to both the house and the players. Moreover, if substantially smaller or larger scores are desired, the number of minimum or maximum rolls may be adjusted. A second alternative embodiment envisions the use of one die or more than two dice. Again, the target score may be adjusted to account for the number of dice used. In a card game embodiment, cards may be randomly selected and the value of the selected cards added in an effort to achieve a predetermined score. As with the number of rolls of the dice, any number of card selections may be utilized.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, any target score or numbers of rolls of the dice may be instituted. If a winning total is achieved 150 the player is paid according to predetermined odds 160. If a winning total has not been achieved, it must be determined whether a predetermined maximum number of rolls have been completed 170. If yes, the player loses the wager 180. If the player has not reached the target score or the maximum number of rolls, the player is permitted to roll the dice again 110.

[0023] Similar to Craps, a variety of proposition or side bets may be offered in conjunction with the main wager. Such proposition or side wagers include a wager, having a large payout, dependent on the number consecutive winning rolls obtained by a single shooter. For example, five consecutive wins may pay 50-to-1 or six consecutive wins may pay 100-to-1. It is also contemplated that players may wager that a shooter will not achieve a predetermined target score.

[0024] A variety of single-roll wagers including, bets on whether a single number will show, bets on whether one of a group of numbers will show and/or bets on the exact roll of the dice. These bets will utilize appropriate payout ratios. In addition, players may be able to wager that a shooter achieves a maximum possible score or minimum possible score. More particularly, in a game utilizing two dice, the maximum score obtainable on two rolls is 24. The minimum scores associated with two and three rolls of two dice are 4 and 6 respectively. Corresponding odds can be set as desired.

[0025] By way of a specific example, several of the aforementioned variations may comprise a game in which three dice are thrown to achieve a sum total of fifty-two. One possible pay table is set forth as follows: # of rolls odds 3 20-1  4   5-1 5   1-1 6+ Lose

[0026] In a contrary embodiment, a player is paid enhanced payouts for totaling a greater number of rolls to achieve a predetermined total. For example, the following pay table could be used for a two dice game wherein the predetermined total is twelve (12). # of rolls odds 1 3-1 2 Lose 3 1-1 4 2-1 5 5-1 6 25-1 

[0027] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are also ideal for implementation in an electronic gaming machine. It is well known to utilize gaming machines, controlled by processing units, for operating wagering games. The processing unit is typically a computer microprocessor. The first embodiment of the present invention will be used to describe a gaming machine implemented version of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of a traditional gaming machine that may be used to implement the embodiments of the present invention. The gaming machine includes a screen display 5, selection buttons 10, card reader 15, coin slot 20, and wager buttons 25.

[0029] The gaming machine may also incorporate a wager accepting means, such as a bill acceptor in addition to the coin slot 20, such that a player may place one or more wagers. Once a wager is accepted, a gaming machine processor generates a roll of two six-sided dice and calculates and displays an aggregate total of the two rolls. Should the aggregate total reach, or exceed, a predetermined target score of twenty-two, the processor causes the machine to award the player eight-to-one on the player's wager. Should the aggregate of the two rolls fail to reach, or exceed, twenty-two, the processor generates a third roll of the six-sided dice and calculates and displays an aggregate total of the three rolls. Should the aggregate of the three rolls reach, or exceed, twenty-two, the processor causes the gaming machine to award the player even money on the player's wager. If the aggregate of the three rolls fails to reach, or exceed, twenty-two, the machine retains the player's wager. The gaming machine may include a touch screen or panel buttons for player interaction therewith. Each of the embodiments of the present invention can be practiced by means of an electronic gaming machine, personal computer or in a live setting at a wagering table.

[0030] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with an explanation of various possible embodiments and modifications thereto, this disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the spirit of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

I claim:
 1. A method of playing a wagering game with one or more dice, comprising the steps of: accepting one or more player wagers; designating a single player as a shooter; calculating and recording a first sum of at least two initial rolls of the one or more dice; comparing the first sum to a predetermined total; if said first sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players a first amount; if said first sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, calculating and recording a second sum, said second sum being the aggregate of said first sum and a successive roll by the shooter; comparing the second sum to the predetermined total; if said second sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players a second amount, said second amount being less than said first amount; and if said second sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, collecting all player wagers.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wagering game is played with two dice and the predetermined total is twenty-two.
 3. The method of claim 1 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to outcomes of each roll of the one or more dice.
 4. The method of claim 1 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to a consecutive number of winning rolls achieved by the shooter.
 5. A method of playing a wagering game with one or more dice, comprising the steps of: predetermining a winning total value; accepting one or more player wagers; designating a single player as a shooter; predetermining a maximum number of rolls in excess of one; summing and recording an aggregate total value of each successive roll of the one or more dice; once a predetermined number of minimum rolls have been completed, comparing the summed and recorded aggregate value of each successive roll until the predetermined winning total value has been equaled, or exceeded, or the predetermined maximum number of rolls has been equaled; if any summed and recorded aggregate value of the successive rolls equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players an amount related to the number of total rolls utilized; and if said any aggregate value fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total within the predetermined maximum number of rolls, collecting each player's wager.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the game is played with two dice and the predetermined total is twenty-two.
 7. The method of claim 5 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to outcomes of each roll of the one or more dice.
 8. The method of claim 5 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to a consecutive number of winning rolls achieved by the shooter.
 9. A method of playing a wagering game utilizing two dice, comprising the steps of: accepting one or more player wagers; designating a single player as a shooter; calculating and recording a first sum of two rolls of the two dice; comparing the first sum to a predetermined total; if said first sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players a first amount; if said first sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, calculating and recording a second sum, said second sum being an aggregate of said first sum and a third roll by the shooter; comparing the second sum to the predetermined total; if said second sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players a second amount, said second amount being less than said first amount; and if said second sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, collecting all player wagers.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined total is twenty-two.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said first amount is eight times each player's wager and said second amount is equal to each player's wager.
 12. The method of claim 9 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to outcomes of each roll of the two dice.
 13. The method of claim 9 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to a consecutive number of winning rolls achieved by the shooter.
 14. A method of playing a wagering game including a target score objective, comprising the steps of: accepting one or more player wagers; designating a single player as an active participate; calculating and recording a first sum of at least two initial randomly prompted gaming indicia, each said gaming indicia having an associated value; comparing the first sum to a predetermined total; if said first sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players a first amount; if said first sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, calculating and recording a second sum, said second sum being an aggregate of said first sum and a successive randomly prompted gaming indicia having value associated therewith; comparing the second sum to the predetermined total; if said second sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, paying said wagering players a second amount, said second amount being less than said first amount; and if said second sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, collecting all player wagers.
 15. The method of claim 14 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to outcomes of each randomly prompted gaming indicia.
 16. The method of claim 14 further including a step of accepting one or more player wagers related to a consecutive number of winning games achieved by the shooter.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the gaming indicia are selected from the group consisting of dice, playing cards, tiles and dominoes.
 18. An electronically implemented method of playing a dice game comprising the steps of: providing means for accepting a player wager; calculating and displaying, by processor means, a first sum of at least two generated initial rolls of one or more dice; comparing, by the processor means, the first sum to a predetermined total; if said first sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, awarding said wagering player a first amount; if said first sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, said processor means calculating and displaying a second sum, said second sum being the aggregate of said first sum and a successively generated roll of the one or more dice; comparing, by the processor means, the second sum to the predetermined total; if said second sum equals, or exceeds, the predetermined total, awarding said wagering player a second amount, said second amount being less than said first amount; and if said second sum fails to equal, or exceed, the predetermined total, said player forfeiting said wager. 